When you decide to embark on the weight loss journey with us here at the National Obesity Surgery Centre, we’re with you for the whole journey. From you initial enquiry to years after your procedure has been completed and you hit your goal weights – We’re here for you, for the highs and the lows!
We also like to keep in touch with our patients on a 1-2-1 basis and recently we had a chat with one of our Autumn 2022 losers, and she answered some really candid questions for us, which in turn we hope will help you to make the right choices too:
- What was your biggest pre-op fear?
That I would be that one person this wasn’t going to work for! That I would fail, as I have every other attempt at weight loss in the last twenty years. I also worried that I had chosen the wrong procedure, but so far, the Sleeve is working well for me, and my consultant was just amazing!
- How was the LRD (Liver Reducing Diet) for you?
Hard – Really hard! I felt like everyone around me was constantly eating everything I couldn’t! But I only fell off the wagon once or twice over the three weeks, so all was well in the end, plus I dropped almost half a stone pre-surgery!
- What was your biggest struggle straight after surgery?
My brain was still hungry! Even months on it still sometimes is. You get the thought of a huge pizza or burger in your head and that’s it, you are mentally starving, craving those carbs! My best advice is to ignore these mad cravings and just tuck into a light mini cheese, or you will end up over or on the loo for ages, feeling dreadful!
- Is your procedure working?
Crikey yes! It is definitely working! I have had a stall or two, where no matter your diet you lose no weight, but I started measuring myself instead at month two and was definitely still shrinking! I am almost 4 months in, and despite Christmas I am on target and have lost 3 stone and am down almost 3 dress sizes.
- What are the biggest post-op challenges?
Not over-thinking things – I noticed people on WL forums stressing out about vitamins and collagen and weighing everything they ate; it’s just mind frazzling! I have access to your amazing nutritionist Sonia, and she made things simple for me and now I hardly think about the bad foods or poor portion sizes at all! A smaller balanced diet, even a glass or two of wine and I have all that my body needs! I don’t need the huge portions, or the second helpings and I have become a big fan of the starter menu when we go out.
- What are the biggest changes?
Honestly, in addition to the weight loss I have already achieved so far, it’s the mental health side of things for me! I feel lighter inside, as well as outside. I don’t feel judged when I am out anymore and am rapidly becoming very comfortable in my own skin (though there some excess of that to sort next year). I am happier, calmer, I have stopped snoring too! My knees don’t ache, and I am not out to breath just going up the stairs anymore.
- How do you feel now almost 4 months post-op?
In a word AMAZING! My ONLY regret is not having done this years ago, for both me and my family!
- Share a secret with us!
You look different, but everything feels different too, even in the bedroom! As your weight comes off you change not only externally but internally too! It’s given me a real confidence boost and a very happy husband! I cannot thank you guys enough for your professionalism and your exceptional care throughout this journey! Roll on the rest of 2023!
Here at NOSC we bring together seventeen of the finest hospitals and seventeen of the most skilled and experienced consultant surgeons and consultant gastroenterologists in the entire country. Each surgeon and each hospital has to meet the criteria set out in our own minimum standards document. This ensures you that you will receive the highest level of care, where safety is always the first consideration. Want to know more or have a chat about your options? Why not give us a call on 0345 618 7276. We’re ready and waiting to help you become a whole new you!
